Articles by Neil Dowling

China's biggest vehicle brand now has a niche entry into Australia as Sydney-based importer Ateco picks up a string of people movers and commercial vans.Ateco Automotive this week took on the importation and distribution of LDV, the commercial-vehicle arm of China's biggest automotive group, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC).But the entrée into SAIC also gives Ateco the opportunity to import Chinese-made passenger cars in the near future.It is the fourth Chinese brand to be imported by Ateco.Company spokesman Daniel Cotterill says Ateco starts launching the diesel-powered V80 range of delivery vans in October, then will introduce the G10 seven-seat people mover and one-tonne light van in the first quarter of next year. Automatic transmission will become an option across the range in early 2015. "The people mover gives us direct access to Australia's people-mover sector and that makes it easier in the future to import passenger cars," he says. "We are also looking at a ute which we expect here within 18 months."Mr Cotterill says pricing is still a "work in progress" but says the short wheelbase V80 van, the cheapest in the range, will sell for less than $30,000 including drive-away costs. That indicates the V80 will become Australia's cheapest one-tonne delivery van. Rivals include the diesel Ford Transit at $37,490, Fiat Scudo ($28,990) and Hyundai iLoad ($36,490). These prices do not include on-road costs."We will price the range as competitively as possible," Mr Cotterill says. "It is a very competitive sector of the market." He says Ateco won't move from the industry-standard three-year, 100,000km warranty.The LDV distributorship was originally held by White Motor Corporation. Ateco now plans to use the existing 18 national LDV dealers to build up to 30 by October and 40 by the end of this year.Mr Cotterill says some dealers may be existing  agents for Ateco's other Asian brands, Great Wall, Chery, Ssangyong and Foton.In addition, Ateco distributes Maserati and Lotus. Despite the volume and pricing of the Chinese vehicles in Ateco's portfolio, only Maserati is showing sales growth.Great Wall sales have slumped 58 per cent year to date in comparison with 2013. Chery is down 20 per cent and Ssangyong is also off 20 per cent in the same time period.Mr Cotterill says it's disappointing but blames the drop offs in sales to currency changes that erode the landed price of the vehicles."It (light commercial vehicle ute market) is extremely competitive and it all comes down to price," he says. "There are two reasons for the sales fall in Great Wall – the price and the fact that the Chinese company has had difficulties and has been unable to upgrade its right-hand drive vehicle models."But we see the currency issue and the stalling of vehicle development in China as cyclical. It's tough at the moment but we are positive for the future." In addition to building its own vehicles, SAIC is China's biggest and oldest joint-venture car company with ongoing partnerships with General Motors and Volkswagen.LDV was bought from UK-based Leyland DAF Vans (LDV) in 2009. The front-wheel drive vans use a VM Motori 100kW/330Nm 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine.The V80 range includes three van formats and 11 and 18-seater buses.

Neil Dowling road tests and reviews the Mercedes-Benz CLA250 Sport, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

For those who really want to go bush, the vehicle options are dwindling. Yet the family-friendly, seven-seat Isuzu MU-X is one of the big surprises - eminently capable in the dirt, very comfortable in the city, fuel efficient, durable and, it could be said, good looking. But it's not for pretenders.There are three models and two transmissions and, though based on the Holden Colorado 7, there are important differences. The Isuzu has fewer kilowatts and one cog less in the automatic transmission than the Colorado, but has a superior five-year warranty, is more economical, has a full-size spare wheel and in the $53,500 LS-T model, a rear DVD player.The excellent iGo satnav, eight-speaker audio (but no Bluetooth audio streaming), reverse camera, aircon in all three rows, leather upholstery and electric driver's seat are all standard. There's no capped-price service and servicing is six-monthly. The LS-T tested is expensive and $49,300 LS-U is better value.The Thai-built wagon is a good looker. The "happy face" nose and the neat side profile with blackened rear-side and rear glass cleverly shrink the MU-X's proportions. The wagon is high off the ground but side steps give good access to the third seat row via a split, fold and tumble second row.The cargo floor is high — courtesy of the bulky live-axle rear and coil suspension — and interrupted by a box containing the luggage blind. Space is 235 litres (all seats up) to 1830 litres. The third row of seats folds flat but the tumble-fold second row reduces the boot floor length.Top marks for the rooftop vents for all rear passengers, two gloveboxes and dash top-box, grab handles, cupholders, storage space and lap-sash seat belts for all seven occupants.The MU-X ("Mysterious Utility" is how SUV translates in Thai) dispenses with the Isuzu D-Max dual-cab ute's live rear axle and leaf springs, bolting in a long-travel coil spring arrangement. The 3.0-litre turbo diesel (130kW/380Nm) and the Aisin five-cog auto are not shared with Holden's products. There are disc brakes all-round and two big skid plates, it's relatively light at 2060kg yet has a 3000kg tow rating.Despite its truck origins, it gets a five-star crash rating, six airbags, rear camera, rear park sensors, hill holder, electronic stability and traction control, full-size alloy spare and brake assist. Hill descent is automatic and built into the gearbox's sensors, though isn't as effective as a switchable system.I expected a truck and happily realised this is something between a 4WD ute and a Toyota Kluger. It is a confident cruiser and sits solidly on the road and is barely affected by sidewinds or rutted bitumen. The engine is torquey and forgiving — more docile and feels more powerful than the Colorado — with surprising economy. An electric switch controls the two-speed transfer case.Gravel and sand failed to slow this wagon and the high ground clearance and long-travel rear suspension made short work of washouts. The turning circle is large — typical of the genre — which can frustrate city owners. Good ride comfort over rough terrain and quiet highway cruising makes it one of the better all-rounders.

Two tough off-roaders live as comfortably in the city as they do in the bush.

Toyota Camry Altise and Kia Optima Si go head-to-head in this comparative review.

Aluminium was once used solely for saucepans, soft drink cans and aeroplanes. Now it's singularly responsible for taking the fat out of SUVs.

How much room do you really need? That is, do you and your wife need the five-bedroom house, the 900sqm block and the eight-seater SUV? Particularly the SUV, because this is the thing that you will rattle in up and down the freeway, occupying a lane and a half and drinking at the rate of an Oliver Reed bender. If you

The Kia/Hyundai combo are increasingly building more sophisticated cars for cashed-up buyers.

Kia’s Soul is a box with wheels. It’s made for congestion, for tight parking bays and meets a demand for maximum cabin space without becoming a van.

Ford has extended its capped-price service program to seven years and 135,000km from six years and 105,00km. It is now Australia's longest service program.Ford says there is value in the capped-price service program — the concept of confirming a maximum service cost for a set period of ownership — with an increase of 13,000 service customers in 2013. Its program started in July 2011.The myFord program even comes with two new lures — a 12 month free membership to the state auto club including roadside assistance and, for commercial operators, the inclusion of the Transit van.Ford says that in addition to its service cost structure, it has announced maximum charges for brakes. Its capped-price brake program is $259 for factory front disc pads, $219 for rear pads and $88 for disc rotor machining. Falcon and Territory rear pads are $259. It is available on all its vehicles built since 2007.Of the Top 10 passenger car makers (by year-to-date sales to February 28) all — including Mercedes-Benz — have a capped-price service program. Recent entries to the list include Honda and Mazda while Subaru — the only volume small-car maker without a program — is expected to launch around the middle of the year.But annual service costs provided by Subaru for its 2.0-litre Impreza range show it to be well within the price bracket of the capped-price service programs offered by rivals.  One of the first to expand on the three-year program was Kia. It says its customer service surveys since launch last year have shown its five-year program has boosted business for its dealers.Prices sourced this week by Carsguide from 10 small-car makers vary enormously in annual outlay from $185 (Holden Cruze) to $588 (Nissan Pulsar).  Buyers should consider that some cars need twice-yearly services, potentially doubling cost and inconvenience.The programs were introduced to maintain service customers. Service and parts are one of the most profitable arms of a dealership, supporting reduced profit margins on new-car sales. One selling point for customers is that capped-price service programs are carried out by factory-trained technicians using factory service and diagnostic equipment. Dealer serviced vehicles can have higher resale value.COSTS:  annual service cost of petrol sedansFord Focus: 7 year/135,000km program. 7 services. $366/yearHolden Cruze: 3 year/60,000km program. 4 services. $185/yearNissan Pulsar: 6 year/120,000km program. 12 services. $588/yearHyundai i30: 3 year/45,000km program. 3 services. $219/yearKia Cerato: 5 year/75,000km program. 5 services. $366/yearMazda 3: lifetime program. 1 service/year. $303/yearMitsubishi Lancer: 4 year/60,000km program. 4 services. $250/yearHonda Civic: 5 year/100,000km program. 10 services. $514/yearVolkswagen Golf: 6 year/90,000km. 6 services. $352/yearSuzuki Kizashi: 5 year/100,000km. 10 services. $516/yearSubaru Impreza: No program. 6mth services. $520/yearThis reporter is on Twitter: @cg_dowling